Hi Derek,
Since this thread was written I decide to self-publish some short stories, to test the water, to see if I enjoyed it, and to get an education.
First one went up a week ago - it's been in and out of the Kindle Top 100 Stories, with some nice reviews.
Second one will go up next week.
More planned for the summer.
Can I make a living off it? Not yet. Ask me in six months. I won't be there at that point either, but I might have a better guess if it's possible.
Novel is still with 3 agents. Over seven months without a peep. Might self-publish that too.
We'll see.